Visit the Abbey of the Arts online retreat platform to access your programs:

Writing on the Wild Edges – Poems from Participants (Ann Smith)

This past April we led one of our Writing on the Wild Edges retreats on the beautiful island of Inismor off the coast of Galway. We will be sharing some of the writing which participants gave us permission to share here in the next few weeks. We continue with haiku and photos from spiritual director Ann Smith. (If you’d like to join us, we have our dates open for 2018 – August 26-September 1)

Ancient prayer grows
from the stone. Small fern speaks life
into hopeful hearts.
Warmth of holiness.
Sanctuary of silence.
Eternity speaks.
I offer my heart
on this ancient altar as
prayers seep from stones.
—Poems and photos by Ann Smith (you can visit her website here)

You might also enjoy

Feast of St. Francis

St. Francis at the Corner PubApproaching the door, you can alreadyhear his generous laughter.He stands on the bar upside down for a momentto get a new perspective on things,a flash of polka-dotted boxersas his brown robe cascades over his head,sandaled toes wiggling in the air

Read More »

Monk in the World Guest Post: Natalie Gould

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Natalie Gould’s reflection A Wooden Cross from Assisi. In October 2000, I traveled to Assisi, Italy. During a two-and-a-half-mile walk through the

Read More »